Trump recalls Lindsey Graham's joke at farewell: 'If Jesus comes back before 10 am, I ain't going'
WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump turned his farewell to the late Sen Lindsey Graham into a deeply personal tribute on Tuesday, July 28, reviving one of the South Carolina Republican's best-known jokes as he honored their friendship.
The lighthearted moments drew attention amid an otherwise solemn eulogy. Trump used them to show how a political rivalry that once made headlines eventually became one of his closest relationships in Washington. Graham, who was elected to the Senate in 2002, died suddenly on July 11 from an aortic dissection. He was 71 years old.
Trump revives Graham's famous one-liner
Speaking at Washington National Cathedral, Trump praised Graham as "a beloved friend, a devoted brother, a respected statesman, a giant of the United States Senate, and a true American original."
He said Graham's personality helped define a political career that stretched more than three decades, telling mourners, "There was truly nobody like Lindsey Graham."
Trump recalled how Graham inherited both toughness and humor from his parents, who ran a bar and pool hall in South Carolina. "He was the first person to make you laugh, and one of the last people that you've really ever wanted to fight," Trump said.
He then shared one of Graham's most memorable jokes about his dislike of early mornings.
"When Senator Tim Scott... invited him to prayer breakfast at 8.30 am., Lindsey told him, 'Tim, if Jesus Himself comes back before 10 am, I ain't going,'" Trump said, drawing laughter from those gathered.
Trump also revisited another story from Graham's childhood, recalling how a bar patron instructed young Lindsey to tell his wife he was not there. "He said to tell you that he's not here," Trump joked, calling it vintage Graham.
President Trump reflects on rivalry turned friendship
Trump acknowledged that he and Graham "did not exactly get off to the best of starts" during the 2016 Republican presidential campaign.
He reminded mourners that Graham had made "something rather nasty" about him during the race, prompting Trump to publicly reveal Graham's personal cellphone number. "Naturally, I did something that I shouldn't have done," Trump said.
Despite that rocky beginning, Trump's tribute focused on the respect he ultimately developed for Graham's public service.
"He died doing the work he was born to do," Trump said. "He went out at the peak of his career, the top of his game as a legend."
Trump credited Graham with helping secure military funding, advancing border security legislation and championing Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh during his confirmation fight, calling the senator's defense of Kavanaugh "perhaps his finest hour."
He also described Graham as "extremely hawkish," adding with a smile, "He never saw a war that he didn't like," before explaining that close friends understood Graham believed deeply in protecting America's interests.
Closing that portion of the tribute, Trump said Graham "was a force of nature, and I will miss him greatly," before once again recalling the unlikely path from political rivals to close friends.
Netanyahu, Rubio, Vance join leaders honoring Graham
Trump noted that Graham's influence stretched well beyond Washington, saying world leaders had gathered to pay their respects. "It's a testament to his towering impact that among those mourning him here today are leaders, presidents, prime ministers from all over the globe," Trump said.
Among those attending the funeral at Washington National Cathedral were Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and other senior officials.
